1899] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. ,;;; 



not absolute, certain forms, especially among the Seatomy- 

 /Maraud Sapromyzidse, being; by the definition. < 'al\ ptrat;e. 

 while other very closely allied species are, by the definition. 

 Acalyptratae. Both these families are considered as families 

 of the acalyptrate series l>y the best anthoiities. 



(firschuer separates the Calyptrata 1 into two grand divi- 

 sions: Authoiuyidae and Tachinid;e. which are by no m*an> 

 identical with the families usually understood by those nann->. 



Anthomyidae. Hypopleural maerocluietae absent, If three steruo- 

 pleuril macrochaetse Jare present their arrangement i> always i;-2. 

 Elbow (if any) of the fourth longitudinal yein witliout appendix. 

 Ventral membrane usually present. Development of the squamuh; 

 thoracalis very variable. 



Tachinidae. Hypopleural macrochaeta? present. If three steruo- 

 pleural macrochsete are present their arrangement is always 2:1 or 

 1:1:1. Fourth longitudinal vein almostalways with an elbow, which 

 frequently has an appendix. Ventral membrane usually not pres- 

 ent. Squaniu la thoracalis always well developed, larger than the 

 squamula alaris, sometimes very large. 



(Jirschner splits np his Tachinidu 1 into nine groups, one of 

 which is the Calliphorinae, which may be thus defined : 



Calliphorinae. Hypopleural bristles present. Ventral membrane 

 very rarely visible. Second ventral segment, in both sexes, lyini; 

 with its edges upon and covering the edges of the correspond in_ 

 dorsal segment, the other ventral segments lying free, at any rate 

 in the male. Fifth ventral segment of the male frequently greatly 

 developed, with its caudal border incised to a point beyond the 

 middle. Usually only two posterior intraalar bristles. Color very 

 frequently metallic. Arista, as a rule, long, plumose. Stigmata 

 sometimes very large. Front of the male narrowed (eyc> som 

 times in contact), that of the female wide. ^ 



The following American genera belong to this group: !'<>! 



l, r/iorniiti and Protocalliphora. It is (juite probable that 

 the Mexican genera, TI/I-COHIIIHI and ('/i/<n-<>i>i't>r/<t. also belong 

 here, but of these I have as yet seen no specimens, and Mr. 

 van dcr NVulp's descriptions do not permit undoubted ronclu 

 ssious to be drawn in the matter. 



Pol/cilia and ('<n>i]>xoiiii/i(i differ from the other genera ot 

 the group in having the vibrissal angle some diMance dorsad 

 of the edge of the mouth opening. I'ltllni'm has the thorax 

 thickly beset with line, soft, woolly hair in addition to the 

 inacroeh;rt;v. Fresh specimens show this very well, but if 



